Long-distance Relationship: (noun) a relationship between two people where one lives far away from the other due to moving, or just living in another state/country (and sometimes, world) and you meet on vacation; these type of bonds are very hard to maintain and not many do, for there is cheating, finding someone else, or just loosing genuine interest in the other person involved, but if they do last, then it really must be something special – something you should never let go of. (see also: never going to work, tears, hardship)

Future: (noun) a word used to describe things coming up, either tomorrow or a million years from now; some fear the topic, for they are afraid of what could happen, what they could do, or who they could become, but most find the topic intriguing, liking to talk about what will happen in their, or others lives, and when that basis is formed, many can jam out to Whitney Houston or even the Phil of the Future theme song; and when all is said and done, all you can do is not dwell on the past and look to the future – look to the light. (see also: opportunity, hope, old Disney shows with terrible and unexpected endings)

Love: (noun) an amazing feel you get in your chest from anything that delights you; it can be receiving the password journal you asked for every Christmas, the smell of pancakes when you first wake up, a hug your mother gives you for either good luck, good measure, or just to tell you that she's always there for you, the look in someone's eyes when they see you, a longing kiss after not seeing someone for a while, or even the love you feel for yourself when you know you've done something good; this indescribable feeling is something that can happen often, but is more precious when it comes in little spurts, little surprises – after all, love is the greatest gift anyone could give, or receive. (see also: enchantment, everlasting, emotion mentioned in almost every song)

A long distance relationship is what Sasuke-kun and I would have to endure, since, well, we don't go to the same school and there was no chance in me asking my mom to move. But it wasn't that far, only a twenty-minute car ride – even though it felt like much longer.

And there was always the possibility that he'd lose interest in me, because, really, nothing like our love this summer could ever be the same – could ever be rekindled.

The future is what I totally fear. It's probably one of my biggest, too. But sometimes you really just have to look to the future and hope it's going to be alright (my future's so bright, I have to wear shades!).Because once you instill that hope into you, there is nothing you can't do – nothing you can't face.

Well, except bad things. But those bad things can be protected by my glue gun. Yeah.

And love.

Wait, do I really need to explain?

Feh, sure, why not?

Love, that undeniably incredible feeling that comes whenever Sasuke grabs my hand, or when he looks me in the eye in that totally, 'there is no other girl I'd want to look at right now', or even that time when we were at his parents dinner they hosted to meet me and Sasuke said I, apparently, looked too hot, and he took me into his parents bedroom and made-out with me.

That was until Itachi came in to tell us dinner was ready.

And then, the most disturbing image came into my mind. What if him and Dei-Dei (cool nickname, right?) did this same thing, and like, went all the freaking way? And then I'd be lying on the bed, Sasuke hovering over me and sticking his tongue in my mouth.

(bad thoughts Sakura, bad)

But love is more than just Sasuke and his unbelievably delicious kisses.

It's the way Ino is always there for me, and how she always hugs me when there really isn't a purpose except the lack of a hug, or how she'll, like, support me and how she'll help me pick out outfits for meeting Sasuke's parents.

And yeah, she's kinda a whore, and a blonde, and sortakindamaybe my lesbian lover (but only when Sasuke's around so we can get him jealous – but seriously, if I could have a lesbian lover, it would so be her). But I wouldn't change one hair on her (extremely beach blonde) head.

'Cause she's just that cool.

"That can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars, over the fence, World Series, kind of love."

The Nine and a Half Commandments

Chapter Nine:
this crazy thing called love

"Seriously Ino, have you been watching Mary-Kate and Ashley movies again?"
"BACK OFF, BARBIE!"

I looked up at Ino while she fiddled with her hair and applied some lip-gloss, smacking her lips together before checking her eyes. I stared in awe that someone could look that beautiful without make-up (okay, no lesbian-ness, seriously, I just don't swing that way – example: Sasuke Uchiha. 'Nuff said). Seriously, I'm the only person in this world that has ever seen her like this, and it made me feel all fuzzy inside.

Not in the 'seriously, you are smoking' kinda way, but the 'some amazing girl like this choice ME to be her bestie and look at her hideous (beautiful) face every day'. And that was enough for me to want to continue being her best friend forever.

And that was love.

But love, in so many words, can mean so many things.

(see above)

I mean, is what I feel for Sasuke the same as I feel for Ino?

No, because, like, Ino is a girl, and Sasuke is a guy.

But is it just adoration, or just liking, or is it love?

How do you even know what love really is?

Well, I guess I'll have to resort to the expert.

"Hey, Ino?" She turned around from the mirror and faced me, raising a quizzical eyebrow. "Oh, well, I was just wondering, um, how do you know when you're in love?"

She got this incredibly mischievous look on her face. "Does this have something to do with, oh, I don't know, Sasuke?"

I sighed. "No, it has to do with my hott, Spanish concubine, Mauricio."

She giggled, then sat next to me on the bed, hugging me tightly. I quickly shimmied out of her tight grip and gave her an odd look, ruminating on the fact of my incredibly weird friends.

"What are you doing? You know we only go lesbo on Sasuke-kun." Suddenly realization hit me and I stared. Not just, like, looked quietly so it wouldn't be rude, but openly stared with my mouth agape. "Ino, are you trying to tell me something?"

And now it was her turn to look shocked (and slightly offended?). "Are you shitting me? Do you think I'd being going on a date with Naruto right now if I was gay?"

Insert crazy stare.

(but for other reasons)

"You're going on a date with NARUTO??"

And then the giggling continued, like a little school girl and her little school boy crush. She then blushed, and I knew that this was something important to her; it wasn't just one of those dates she went on to get in between the sheets later, or even just to hook up with the guy.

This was important because it was real.

Because she wanted it.

Because it was love.

Alright, let's not get too carried away, but come on, how am I even supposed to know what love is?

All my life I've dreamed of falling in love, getting swept of my feet, and then ride off into the sunset on his white stallion – while also managing to wear a wedding dress, stilettos, and side-saddling the horse.

Well, a girl can dream, can't she?

"Hey Sakura!" The blonde greeted while running towards me, her hands flailing and her ponytail atop her head quickly becoming loose because of the bounce in her step.

I smiled and waved lazily, gesturing for her to sit down in front of me. "Hey Ino-darling,"

She sighed and lay back in her chair, trying to cool down from the heat probably. "So, I've been called her because…?"

I grinned impishly. "Well, you see, I was, um, wondering," she got a weird look, as if saying, 'you, think, wow, that can't be good', "have you ever been in love?"

I better just come out with it. I'm not one to beat around the bush.

Okay, I am, but this is uberly important and summer is over soon, and, well, I just need to do this.

She smiled while looking up dreamily. "Um, kinda. I guess. I know you asked earlier, but I'm still not sure. I mean, even after that date, and how amazing it was, and how it never compared to any other date, I'm still not quite sure what love is. What about you?"

I contemplated that thought. I already stated what I thought, but hey, a girl can change her mind.

"Do you think that maybe there really isn't love?"

She got that same shocked look on her face as before, but somehow it hurt more; it felt as if I'd betrayed her.

Or maybe just love.

And both were bad.

"How could you think that?"

I shrugged sheepishly, looking down at the latte that I was currently stirring to get my mind away from the intruding question that just wouldn't go away. "It's just, well," I looked up at her, "maybe it's just lust. Maybe there is no love and all we do is crave each other. That's humans after all; all we mere mortals do is want and want and want. We never give."

"You might, but seriously, there are good people in the world. And everyone gives. Okay, fine, not everyone; but everyone lends, and sometimes giving isn't enough. Sometimes you just need to lend a hand, lend a heart, lend a smile, lend a frame of mind. Do you have go give your hand – no, but when you help, it makes a difference. Do you have to give your heart – not to everyone, but only to the one who deserves it. Do you give your smile – no, but you show it for all the world to see. Do you give away an idea – no, but you share it."

"Of course we lend, but that doesn't mean we can't give as well."

She sighed, but a light smile came on her face, as if she's on the verge of a mental outbreak. I got excited because ever since I saw The Simpson's Movie, I always wanted to have an epiphany.

"Sakura, if we give, then that is only to one person, and therefore only they can have it, for you can't take it back after something is given – that's just rude. But, if you lend, then you help more people, then you can share more, then there's more love to go around. And really, that's all our world needs."

"So you're saying that when I say that I love Sasuke, I shouldn't give my heart, but only lend it to him."

She smiled again, that smile that was light and airy and happy – as if she was on top of the world and she wasn't afraid to let anyone know; not afraid to let everyone know how marvelous this thing called love is.

"Sakura, darling, you give your heart to one person and one person only."

I sighed, looking down again. "How do you know who? What if you give it to someone and they break it. It'll never be the same again."

"I know that many always say that your heart is like a mirror; once it's broken, you shouldn't try to fix it because you'll hurt yourself. But listen to me when I say that when a guy takes a part of your heart, you'll find a new one who will replace the empty space by giving you some of his heart."

I gushed at the romantic energy flowing from the usually slutty, man-using Ino who only used boys for physical pleasure, when she could be using them for the mental pleasure you receive just from one look in the eye.

"I still don't know who to give my heart to – or, well, lend. I think its Sasuke, but what if I'm wrong?"

"If you really think so, then do it. You only fall in love once; the rest is just practice to make sure you're heart can take it."

I smiled happily. "It stood through Sai."

She giggled. "And now it'll stand through Sasuke; the one boy who needs your heart – the one who deserves it."

"Okay, but, um, should I say that I love him?"

She shrugged. "I'm still not positive on this whole love subject, but listen to your heart."

And then she took a sip of her cameral cappuccino, as if what she said was the simplest thing in the world.

But how can you listen to your heart when the only thing you can recognize is a tiny beating, like a little drum reminding you that you're alive?

Kami-sama, why is life so incredibly confusing?

I sighed. This was never going to be solved.

Why can't there be a book or something?

Wait.

Insert light bulb going off.

And as I sped out of the little café with Ino calling after me, there was only one place for the destination on my mind.

The smell of new and old books alike came into my nose as I opened the wooden door, cold air blowing on my face. I quietly closed the door and counted the steps my flip-flops made when they walked across the red-carpeted floor.

I looked around, glancing at the people in this facility. There were some teens, who I presumed as nerds for they decided to stay in the library during there summer and not at the beach, reading books at the tables, very caught up in what was going on and not that there was someone there own age feeling sorry for them and their geek-ness.

And then there were some oldies, quietly reading in large chairs, as if they were at home. But we all know that this is the only place where you can really read; where you can really be at peace.

There were two girls sitting all the way in the back by the air-conditioner, panting heavily. They looked too popular and Barbie-like to actually want to be in a library, but as this great place taught me, never judge a book by its cover.

Even though I think they're just here to get away from the scolding summer heat.

A little boy and girl, around the age of five, were in the corner of the small library, reading a thin book. Probably a childhood fantasy or even a book with a hero and his heroine.

It brought me back to the days of my childhood where I'd dream of that happening to me. Or well, not really my childhood. Kinda like, a few months ago when I really didn't think it would happen and would just wish.

But, see, it did happen.

And for that I am grateful.

"Can I help you?" A gruff voice said. I looked up to see that I wandered towards the front desk, where a lady with gray hair in a tight bun, adorning glasses, and a wrinkled face (you know, the usual, grumpy old lady) stood.

(and suddenly, all my years of wanting to be a librarian seemed like a lost cause)

"Um, no thank you," I said politely while walking away, towards the only section that would fit this problem I'm trying to solve.

And as I sat down on the little stool that was provided in that area, I looked at the variety of books. Soon, I heard a chair shuffle against the carpet and turned to the little kids sitting at the oak table near me. The boy sat up, pushed his chair back, and then walked away towards the bathroom.

And as he was stalking towards the little boy's room, she sighed happily while resting her hands in her chin.

It was a look that I've seen before. Adoration? Liking? Happy?

Love?

"You, uh, like him?" I tried. The girl instantly turn around as a large grin came onto her cherry red lips. Again, she happily sighed while getting a dreamy look in her eyes; almost like the one Ino used today (except cuter).

Do I look like that when I'm with Sasuke?

She giggled. "No,"

I gave an inquisitive look, because, really, I've read enough books and watched enough TV and seen Ino at the height of her love-roller-coaster, and I know that that is a look of love. "Seriously?"

She giggled again as a large grin split across her face, slowly starting with the turnings of her lips, then sparkling white emitting, showing perfection and genuine happiness. "I love him."

And I froze.

The way she said it, with such confidence, such nonchalance, such sacrifice, and such truth. She knew what she wanted, she knew how to get it, and she knew how she felt.

And she is ten years younger than me.

But hey, who better to take advice from than the person who feels it the most?

"And how do you know when you're in love?"

And she gave me one of those Sasuke looks. You know, the whole 'idiot' act. "What do you mean?"

I sighed. "Well, you see, there's this guy,"

And this is when she got all giddy, bouncing in her seat and turning her full attention to me.

"And, okay, so he's my boyfriend. We've been dating all summer and we go to different schools. I think I might love him, but I really don't know. That's why I wanted to ask you, seeing how you are very experienced in this feeling with your boyfriend."

She laughed again, but not as happy as before – it was a hallow noise that came from the back of her throat that showed lucid sorrow. "He's not my boyfriend." And then she brightened up, and when I saw the light in her eyes, I was reminded of myself when I was little.

Oh how I wish I could be that young again, to have no care in the world. To become best friends with any girl you meet on the playground, holding their hand and running around, only to become best friends again with them tomorrow. To throw around the word love like it doesn't matter – like no one cares. All they want to do is hear it.

And once I was done with my inner monologue, I stopped and turned to the girl, her eyes still lit with joy and a grin still present on her face. "Sometimes, when he doesn't know that you like – I mean love – him, well, that's the best. Because all the signs are more."

"And what are these apparent signs?"

She stood up in her chair and angled it toward me. She sat down gracefully, crossed her legs, and placed her laced hands on the top of her knee. "Okay, well, first off, you get all these, um, butterflies in your stomach when he looks you in the eye; now, this could be an 'are you alright?' kinda look, or a 'hey', or an 'I need you', heck, even, 'you're weird' look.

"And when he says your name – whether it rolls off his tongue or he's saying it in annoyance – your heartbeat steadily increases because his voice, is, like, super yummy when he says your name.

"You feel this totally electric shock in you whenever he touches you – and not in the inappropriate way, 'cause, like, ew, that's yucky and you're too young for that anyway. But when he holds your hand, or lightly brushes your hair or whatever. Those kinds of things really make your blood boil and your head spin.

"Whenever you think about him – and if you do think about him a lot, that is also a sure sign – whether it be when you're with him or not, and you find yourself smiling the whole time, that is an obvious sign that he makes you happy.

"And there is one last and final test."

I shook my head, anticipating her advice (hey, it's working for me so far).

"When you're eating snack, and even though you have some super delicious snack like a bag of goldfish – especially the colored kind that only you have and it makes you cool – or a bag of pretzels, and he always has something better because guys are just cool like that and us girls have to suffer. And when he has something amazing, like a chocolate chip cookie, or even a cupcake with pink frosting – even though he hates pink – he'll always share it with you, or even give you the whole thing. And when he does that, you just know, from the small little flicker of hope in your stomach and in your heart, that this is love – and this is forever."

And as her words sunk in, and as I slightly believed this amazing snack-analogy, I realized that Sasuke hated sweets.

I giggled in pure delight as Sasuke kept swinging me in his arms, adding a dip for good measure. I hooked my arms around his neck, making sure I was safe even though I knew that when I was with him (and especially in his arms), I'd always be okay – I'd never get hurt.

Sasuke leaned in for a light kiss that I granted before going back to his smooth moves. And once we stopped dancing to 80's pop, the radio turned to a slow song and I looked him in the eyes, pleading for the clichéd fantasy that every girl wants to come true.

He nodded and wrapped his arms around my waist, bringing me close to him. I snuggled my head into his chest while my fingers ran through his satin hair.

And as we swayed to the music, and the little girl's insightful words came back to me, I realized that this was it – this was what I've always dreamed of.

This was love.

And now was as good as a time as any to express it.

"Sasuke?"

"Hm?"

Deep breathe Sakura. Don't make a fool of yourself. Be natural, and calm, but hell, you've got to tell him.

"I, I'm pretty sure – I'm falling in love with you."

And the dancing stopped.

My breathing halted and I timidly looked up, almost ashamed at what I said.

"Well, you see, um, I was thinking about this for a while now, and Ino was no help, and then I couldn't find any books on it, so then this little girl was there, and she explained what love was, you know, using desserts."

He smirked. "Desserts?"

"Yeah, but see, that's the thing. You hate desserts, but her analogy was that the guy shares with her, even when it's obviously the best thing. And you, you share your kindness and love with me, even though I'm so totally not worthy and there are probably way better girls than me–"

He kissed me.

"There is no girl better than you."

And that's when my blush came on. It was mild at first, but then as a charming smile came on his face, I couldn't help but flush to a color red that I'm not even sure exists.

I've never seen him smile before.

And I kinda like it.

And with that, he scooped be back into his arms and we began dancing again.

Sure, he didn't say that he loved me too, but somehow he did. With a small kiss and a meaningful smile, it felt that those words would never compare to what I got.

And as we continued dancing, and even after when he dropped me off at my house and he kissed me, then smiled that small little smile that made everything in this world amazing and coated in sugar, I knew that there is such a thing as love, and fairytales coming true, and dessert-theories, and even little girls who know more about love than someone who truly experiences it (even though she really did).

And happy endings, because its summer and it would just be wrong if I didn't get my knight in shining armor (glue-gun included), my fashionable shoes, and my happy ending.

I kinda feel like my life has a purpose now.

And believe it or not, I came up with the whole love-analogies in here, so no steal-age, seriously.

Ino is kinda slutty, but we all love her, right? Oh, and most of that Ino love was for Coco-Minu since, apparently, there was a lack of it. Did this satisfy your Saku-Ino friendship?

(can anyone name the movie in the quote? and maybe who said each one and when and stuff. if you do, well, um, I'll love you eternally? okay, maybe a prize, if I feel up to it)

(2 chapters left)

(mama mia plus batman equals serious love)

;)